Nixon's Vietnam policy - vietnamization - the policy for winding down the war
troops were withdrawn, training and equipment was given to South Vietnamese, by 1972, only 24,200 troops remained
However, bombing raids increased, hurting the supply lines of North Vietnam - the bombing expanded to other countries - Laos and Cambodia
U.S. ground forces invaded Cambodia in spring 1970 – this led to more opposition
May 4, 1970 - Kent State University Shooting.
Peace talks -1972 - between Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho
In July, word leaked that Henry Kissinger had been meeting privately in Paris with the North Vietnamese Foreign Secretary
in October, only days before the election, Kissinger announced that " Peace is at hand "
several weeks later, after the election, talks broke down again
January 27, 1973 - agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in VietnamU.S. troops leave Vietnam POW's released, cease-fire between the North and South
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THE FALL OF SAIGON
The Legacy of Vietnam
In Southeast Asia:
1.5 million Vietnamese deaths
countless Vietnamese civilians wounded, homeless
agrarian society in shambles
Southeast Asia left highly unstable
Southeast Asia fell to communism after terror
In America: America Copes
50,000 Americans killed
365,000 wounded
$150 billion in direct costs
U.S. attempts to come to grips with a "loss" - blow to self-esteem
Several major U.S. changes as a result of the conflict
government abolished the draft , which had stirred up so much of the antiwar sentiment
war powers act - curb the power of the President for making war - US forces are sent into a hostile area without a declaration of war - the troops may only stay there 90 days unless Congress approves of the action and/or declares war
altered American foreign policy - risks are considered, because no one wants another Vietnam
overall cynicism in Americans about their government and their political leaders -
Nixon's Vietnam policy - vietnamization - the policy for winding down the war
Peace talks -1972 - between Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho
In July, word leaked that Henry Kissinger had been meeting privately in Paris with the North Vietnamese Foreign Secretary
THE FALL OF SAIGON
The Legacy of Vietnam
In Southeast Asia:
In America: America Copes
Several major U.S. changes as a result of the conflict
The Disillusionment of those who served